All-optical photonic band control in a quantum metamaterial

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates quantum metamaterials made of dielectric nanorods with embedded quantum resonators, demonstrating all-optical switchable conduction bands when the resonators are pumped to inversion.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model predicting all-optical control of photonic band structures via quantum resonator states in dielectric nanorod metamaterials.

Findings

Quantum resonators enable switchable conduction bands.

Inversion regime leads to all-optical control.

Scattering matrix pole structure explains the phenomenon.

Abstract

Metamaterials made of periodic collections of dielectric nanorods are considered theoretically. When quantum resonators are embedded within the nanorods, one obtains a quantum metamaterial, whose electromagnetic properties depend upon the state of the quantum resonators. The theoretical model predicts that when the resonators are pumped and reach the inversion regime, the quantum metamaterial exhibits an all-optical switchable conduction band. The phenomenon can be described by considering the pole stucture of the scattering matrix of the metamaterial.